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E. MAERTENS. PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FATTY MATTERS FROM W'OOL.

N 45,8 9. Patented Sept. 10,1895.

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E. MAERTENS. PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVINGTATTY MATTERS FROM WOOL.

No. 545,899. Patented-Sept. 10,1895.

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l NITED STAT-Es :ATENT Erica.

EMILE MAERTENS, 0 PRovIDENoE, RHODE ISLAND.

PROCESS OF AND APPARAT US FOR REMOVING FATTY MATTERS FROM WOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1\ To. 545,899, dated September 10, 1895.

I Application filed July 14, 1894. Serial No. 517,573. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMILE MAERTENs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence'and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Apparatus for Treating Wool and Other Animal Fibers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a new process and apparatus for treating raw wool and similar animal fibers with naphtha, benzine, or similar products from petroleum, bisulphide of carbon, ether, or similar fat solvents, for the purpose of freeing wool and similar animal fibers from fatty, waxy, resinous, and other matter or impurities which are soluble in such solvents without having to subject said fibers to the destructive action of hot soap or alkaline solutions in order to put them in workable condition. I am aware that the treatment of wool with fat solvents is not new, and that several unsuccessful attempts have been made to do this work on a commercial scale. The object I have in view is to leave the wool in the best workable condition and without in jury to the fiber; to do the work quickly, thoroughly, cheaply, and safely; to operate upon large quantities, and to obtain the by-products of this treatment in the best possible condition, so as to make the cleansing of animal fibers a source of profit instead of an expense.

My invention consists in the novel process for cleansing wool or other animal fibers.

It also consists in the new and improved apparatus employed for cleansing said fibers and embodying the process referred to, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Some of the characteristic features of my invention are as follows: The several digesters and tanks in the system independently interoommunicate, the solvent employed is moved by compressed air orany other suitable gas, and the first impregnation of the fibers with it is by preference made in vacuo, and the process then continued at atmospheric or higher pressure. The whole process is carried onunder seal, and consequently the loss of solvent is minimized and the operation made comparatively safe and perfectly healthy. The fibers are dried by heat and vacuum or by heated air drawn or aspient, and thus the cost of redistillation is mini-- mized; but notwithstanding this the sundry solvent baths used are so applied that each preceding bath is followed by a less-saturated bath, and the fibers are rinsed with pure solvent, so as to insure the complete removal of any adhering fatty, resinous, tarry, or glutinous impurities. The solvent adhering to the fibers is distilled off by heat and'vacuum, thus insuring its removal at a comparatively low temperature, and the last traces of solvent are removed by drawing or aspirating air or air and steam through the fibers. work is accomplished without disturbing the fibers from the timethey are put in the digesters until they are ready for the final rinsing with water to free them from such impurities as are insoluble in the solvent used to remove their fatty and resinous impurities.

The exact number of steps used in the freeing of fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities according to the present invention may vary somewhat, according to the nature and condition of the materials to be operated upon, but they are generally and .by preference as follows: The fibers are inclosed in a series of digesters (say four, more or less) and All this dried by drawing or aspirating warm air through them until the mass of fibers operated upon is warmed up sufficiently to insure the vaporization of the moisture, which they still contain, under the influence of a vacuum, which is then applied. The fibers having been freed from moisture, as indicated, find themselves inoacuo, and when the pump producing ithas been stopped the first digester of the series is put into communication at its top with a reservoir containing solvent, which is partially saturated with Wool-fat extracted from fibers in previous operations and filled therefrom. Communication is now established between the bottom of the first digester and the top of the second one, and, by the influence of the vacuum existing in the second digester and of compressed gas or air applied at the top of the first digester, the solvent is driven out of said first digester and pressed and blown out of the fibers which it contains, in liquid form, over and into the second digester. The top of the first digester is now put into communication with a reservoir containing solvent which has been used in previous operations, but which is less saturated than the one first used, and by the application containing said solvent it is driven to the top of said first digester. The bottom of digester No. 2 being now put in communication with the top of digester No. 3, the vacuum in the latter and the compressed air or gas contained in digester No. 1, and which is forced out into digester No. 2 by the new incoming solvent just mentioned, forces the first solvent used out of digester No. 2 into digester No. 3 in the same manner that it was driven from digester No. 1 into digester No. 2.

The operation just described is continued until each of a series of solvents, all of the same nature, but each succeeding one of a lesser degree of saturation than the preceding one, and finally pure solvent, have been driven from one digester into another and through the whole series of digesters in the manner indicated and by alternate applications of solvent and compressed air or gas at the top of the digesters, and until each lot of solvent has reached its destination, back into the sundry storage-tanks provided for solvents of different degrees of saturation.

As fast as any of the digesters has had its last charge of solvent emptied into its neighbor or into the storage-tank provided for it,

- it is put into communication at its bottom with the solvent-tank containing the solvent with the least degree of saturation, (except pure solvent,) and by the application of compressed air or gas to the top of said digester the solvent, with which the fibers are still soaking, is nearly all pressed out and driven out of said fibers, in liquid form, into the storage-tank mentioned.

The communication between the storagetank and the digester having been cut off at the conclusion of the last operation, and as the fibers contained in the digesters have still some solvent adhering to them, it is put into communication at its top with the storagetank for pure solvent, but through the intermediary of a vacuum-pump and a condenser. Steam is now applied to a heater contained in the bottom of .the digester and, either by trickling down upon the latter or byradia pleted, (which is indicated by a vacuum-gage,)

and as it is difficult to obtain solvent free from odorous impurities which do not-pass over at the temperature used in the operation just described, a current of air, or of air and steam mixed, is drawn or aspirated through the fibers contained in the digester and they are thus deodorized. The fibers being now freed from their fatty and resinous impurities are removed from the digester to be further cleansed with water prior to their utilization in the regular process of manufacturing.

In order to illustrate my improvements, I have prepared the accompanying three sheets of drawings, which together represent a single side view or elevation of the complete apparatus employed for carrying out my im proved process herein described. In order, also, that the representation of the apparatus be sufficiently large to clearly show the several elements constituting it, the drawing is practically one complete figure or view and is to be so considered, the same,however, being divided, for convenience, into three sections or parts, each of said sheets bearing one part--that is to say, Sheets 1 and 3 illustrate the left and right sections, respectively, and Sheet 2 the center section.

Again referring to the drawings, A, A A and A indicate the four closed digesters in which the wool or fibrous materials are confined while being snbjected to the several treating operations forming the subject of my present invention.

B B, &c., to 13, inclusive, Sheets 2 and 3, indicate a seriesof six storage-tanks for solvents, arranged to communicate with said digesters.

F, Sheet 3, indicates the overflow-tank communicating with said digesters and storagetanks. The air or gas discharged from the digesters and tanks of the system also passes into tank F and from the latter to the traptank M. It also receives the drip from all the mains.

E, Sheet 1, indicates a grease-tank for containing the grease extracted from the saturated solvents.

' H indicates a still in which the saturated solvents are rectified or distilled.

I, Sheet 1, is a settling-tank in which the saturated solvents are allowed to settle before being run into the still H.

L, Sheet 1, is a condenser used for condens- ICC ing the vapors of solvents in the still H and in the digesters A to A a G, Sheets 1 and 2, indicates a compressed air or gas tankfor storing compressed air or gas. i

W, Sheet 2, is a heater which can be used for heating air or gas adapted to be used in the digester A, 650.

W 7 indicate gas-generating apparatus wherein either acid gases or vapors are produced for use in the digesters. I

K, Sheet 1, is a filter for separating the saturated solvent from the settlings which accumulate in the settling-tank I.

M, Sheet 3, is a trap-tank through which the air or gas from several digesters and tanks escape. through a water-seal into the atmosphere.

M, Sheet 1, is a tank into which the acid vapors generatedin W W are condensed.

O is a compressor for compressing air or gas for storage in tank G.

D D are vacuum-pumps used for making a vacuum and drawing or aspirating air, gases, or vapors through and from the digesters.

Referring to Sheet 3, the digester A is one of the receptacles for containing the fibers to be cleansed. Each digester is composed of a cylindrical shell having a bottom head a, a top head a with an upwardly-extending hollow neck a a cover a upper and lower doors 2' 'b b, a perforated false bottom 0, under which is placed a heater a having water and steam inlets at c and water and steam outlets at 0 The bottom head has a central discharge-nozzle c and a steam-inlet 0 The neck a of the digester-head has four nozzles-via, a nozzle d, connected with the dry vacuum-main 6 by valved branch 6, a nozzle 01, connected with the wet-vacuum main 7 by a valved branch e, a nozzle d connected with the compressed air or gas main 9 by valved branche and a nozzle d connected with the air or gas outletmain 8 by a valvedbranch e In addition to these the top digesterhead connects at f, through corresponding upright valved pipe f, with the. filling-main 1, and at f, through a valved branch f, with the supplementary upper main 2, Which arrangement permits the solvent to be forced from the bottom of any of the digesters to the top of'any of the others. The dry-vacuum main 6 is connected with the vacuum-pump D, and is also connected with each digester by a corresponding branch pipe e, in each of which is located a valve 12. The wet-vacuum main 7 is connected indirectly with the vacuum-pump D, and is also con-- 'nected with each digester by a corresponding branch pipe 6, in eachof which is located a valve 11'. The compressed air or gas main 9 connects with the compressor 0. Said main connects with each digester by a corresponding branch pipe 6 in each of which is located a valve 12 The discharge or air or gas outlet main 8, which is also called the overflowmain, is connected with each digester by a branch pipe 2 in each of which is locateda valve o On Sheet 2 are represented vertical branch pipes'fleading from the filling-main 1. These are used for carrying the solvent to the corresponding inletf of any individual digester from any of the storage-tanks,the same being effected by simply manipulating any of the valves according to the digester that is to be filled and the storage-tank from which the solvent is to be taken. The inlets 4 to the storage-tanks communicate each with the drain-main 4 through a valve '0 the drain in turn communicating with each of the bottom Each of the inlets 11 to the storage-tanks communicate with the compressed air or gas main 9 through a valve 3, and the outlets 12 from the storage-tanks communicate with the overflow or air or gas outlet main 8 through the valves 8'. Said main 8 is also intended to take care of the drains from thesnndry mains and of any overflow which may occur from any of the sundry tanks or digesters. The overflow-tank Fcommunicates at its bottom, through a valved connection 10*, with a small main 10, through which latter all the storage-tanks intercommunicate. The storage-tanks are provided with bottom outlets 1 and valved connections 10*, and through. which piping, &c., these tanks are originally filled with solvent from tank-cars outside of the building. At the top of the overflow-tank F the air or gas outlet or overflow main 8 enters, the air or gas outlet from said tank be ing through the valved pipe 8 the latter extending and entering the trap-tank M. The said overflow-tank F communicates with the compressed air or gas main 9 through a riser 9, and the valve 19 on riser 8 shuts off the overflow-tank from the whole system whenever compressed air or gas is introduced into said tank to remove its contents to one of the storage-tanks, in which case the valve in on riser 8 is also closed and the by-pass valve 00 a; on the branch-connecting risers 8 and 8 is opened, thus relieving the system by direct communication with the trap-tank M. The grease-tank E connects with the wet-vacuum main 7 through its valve 19 and with the compressed air or gas main 9 through valve Z7. Atmospheric air or steam is admitted at t',

and through valve 4 the grease-tank communicates with the bottom of the still H through piping 15.

. On Sheet 2 are shown pipes 0 each connecting the corresponding bottom digesterhead with the drain-main 4 through a valve o and also connecting with the supplementary lower main 3 through valves '0 and '0 The main drain 4 communicates with the inlets to storage tanks through the several valves 0 i The compressed air or gas inlets 11to the several storagetanks are through the valves 5, and the air or gas outlets 12 from the tanks are through valves 8'. Branches from main 4 are shown entering the storagetan ks at 4:. The outlet from the condenser L is through valve 0 and piping 14, the latter communicating with the sundry storage-tanks through the corresponding valves '0 The still H is fed from the settling-tank I through the series of valves r, piping 18, and valve 1 The vapor-outlets from the still are at 13, and the grease-outlet from said still is through valve r and piping 15. The valve 4", on up right pipe 20, admits solvent out of the storage-tanks into the top of the settling-tank 1. Valve 1 communicates with the bottom of the settling-tank and through the piping 21 with the top of filter K, the latter communicating at its bottom with the storage-tanks. The gas-generator W W communicates with the atmosphere outside of the building through valve r and piping 16*. It also communicates with the heater W through valves 4, TX, and branch piping 16 and through the heater or piping 16 with the bottom of the several digesters through the main 16.

On Sheet 1 is shown the manner of connecting the vaporized-solvent main 13 to the condenser L. The main enters the condenser through the valve 4. It runs from the discharge end of the vacuum-pump D and connects therewith through pipe 13 and carries to the condenser the vaporized solvent, which is drawn from the digesters or still by said pump through the main 6. The vaporized solvent from the still H can go to the condenser direct by opening valve r and closing valve 1', or it can go through the pump 1) by opening valve 4" and closing valve 4" The solventleaves the settling-tank I through valves 4" and enters the still H through piping 18 and valve r compressed air or gas being admitted to said tank through valve w and the air or gas outlet from said tank being through valve 20 The compressed air or gas tank G is filled by the compressor 0 through the main 9 and valve 00. The digesters communicate with the dry-vacuum main 6 through the four valves 11 and with the Wetvacuum main 7 through the four valves '0, as before stated. The compressed-air or gas inlet to the digesters is through the valves 12 Ma main 9 9 and the air or gas outlet from the digesters is through the valves 0 The digesters are filled from the storage-tanks through the piping, which communicates with the filling-main 1 and enters the upper digester-head atf through piping f and interposed valves 70. The digesters intercommunicate through the supplementary mains 3 and 2 through the valves LE, "0 '0 and upright pipe 2. An air communication between the digesters is established through valves 00 The trap-tank M is simply a tank adapted to be partially filled with water,into which dips a branch 8 of the outlet-main, leading from the overflow-tank F. By this arrangement it will be seen that the air or gas which escapes through this pipe 8 has to pass through water before it escapes into the ter is admitted to the top of this tank at 7,

and a pipe 7 leads downwardly from it at 7 into a well It filled with water, which serves to seal said pipe. The overflow from the well passes into a drain h, connected with a sewer. Valves s admit compressed air or gas to the several storage-tanks from the main 9 and valves .9 let out the air or gas from said tanks into the overflow-main 8, which communicates With the overflow-tank F. A valve m is interposed in the vacuum-pump outlet-pipe 13 for the purpose of shutting off communication between this pump and condenser L,when desired.

On Sheet 2 is shown the gas generator w 10 The gas passes from this generator into'the heater W through pipes 16 and 16 by opening valves W 0"". From the heater it passes into the main 16, and from there into the bottom of the digesters, by opening the corresponding inlet-valves 00 If heated air is wanted in the digesters instead of gas, the valve r is closed and the valve x opened, and if cold air is wanted for circulation through the digesters the valves 0*, r, and r are opened and valves TX and r are closed.

All the tanks and digesters, the still, &c., are provided with thermometers, gage-glasses, pressure and vacuum gages; but these details are not shown in the drawings.

The following is a description of the operation of the apparatus, and for the sake of illustration it is assumed that all the digesters A, A A and A are to be filled with raw wool, and that the plant has been previously operated and is in condition for restarting. The wool is introduced into the digesters through necks a of said digesters after the covers a have been removed. When the digesters are sufficiently loaded or charged, the covers are replaced and screwed down. I would state here that each of the valves located in inlet-pipes 11 leading to the solventtanks are indicated by s, the corresponding outlet-valves .9 being located in the outletpipes 12. Each of the digesters A to A are provided with valves 70 v v c c c c c m m and also connections, through which the digesters are adapted to inter-communicate, and through which they are connected with the tanks, mains, &c. Thus, it will be seen that each digester has its respective series of valves.

In the following description, where specific reference is made to any of said valves with respect to anyone of the digesters A A A A, it is to be understood that the valve indicated is the one located contiguous to the digester specified. The several valves 1) are now lIt opened, thus putting all the digesters into direct communication with the wet-vacuum main 7and the vacuum-pump D, which latter is now put into motion. At the same time the valves 01: and r and the four valves m are opened, and the air, which now rushes in at valve 00 is heated in W andthen passes into themain 16 and downwardly through the branches 16andvalves'0c into main 3 and enters the digesters through the lower inlets 0 The air is drawn upwardlythrough the wool by means of pump D, thereby heating the wool and carrying off part of the moisture which the latter contains. Instead of using the heater W to heat the air which is drawn through the wool, the bottom heaters a located inside of the digesters, can be used for the purpose, the valves 00 in such case being kept closed and valves m on branch connections 16 opened. When the wool has been sufficiently warmed up,the air-valves 00 or m-are closed; but the vacuum-pump D is kept running, which soon produces a partial vacuum in the digesters, and under its influence and the heat retained by the wool the remainder of the moisture which the latter contains distills off and the fibers are left in a dry condition and in vacuo without having been disturbed in the least or subjected to any excessive or injurious heat. The vacuum-pump is now stopped and the valves 50 or m, as the case may be, being closed, all the valves 00" and 'v are also closed, while valve 70 on pipef, entering'the top head of digester A at f, is opened, and also opening valve 70, which communicates with the corresponding outlet of storage-tank B, which contains solvent which has been previously used four times. After closing the corresponding outlet-valve s on top' of tank B the corresponding inlet-valve s which conveys compressed air or gas to said tank m'ct branch pipe 11, is opened and the solvent in the said tank B is forced into the main 1, and from the latter into the digester top, which it enters at f, as before stated. When the digester is full,

which may be indicated by a gage-glass, the previously open valves is k s are closed and valve 8 opened, the latter letting the compressed air or gas flow from tank B into the main 8, and from said main into the overflowtank F, and thence into the trap-tank M, and through it to the agmosphere outside of the building. The valve 0 (nearest digester A) on the supplementary lower main 3 is now opened, and also the valve 00, located in a branch leading from the supplementary upper main 2 into the upper head of digester A thereby putting the bottom of digester A into communication'with the top of digester A at f through a riser 2, which connects said to said digester.

mains 3 and 2. The valve 0 at or near the top of digester A is next opened and compressed air or gas from the main 9 admitted The solvent is forced out through the bottom of digester A into the top of digester A by compressed air or gas, the

latter then filling digester A, while digester A now in turn contains the solvent which came from storage-tank B oia digester A. The said valves '0 and w are next closed, thereby cutting 0% communication between the bottom of digester A and top of digester A The valve is is again opened and the compressed air or gas valve o closed. The valve 00 between the tops of digester A and A is then opened, thus putting the top of digester A in communication with the top of digester A The valve r at the bottom of digester A being now opened, and also valve :12 at top of digester A the two latter digesters will thereby be placed in communication with each other, and if now valve is, which lets the solvent from tank 13 (which solvent has been used three times previously) into main 1 is opened,and outlet valve 3 on top of said tank closed, and the corresponding compressed air or gas inlet valve 8 opened, the solvent from tank 13 will thereby be driven into the top of digester A and the compressed air or gas which it contains will be driven into the top ofdigester A and the solvent which digester A previously contained will be driven out at the bottom of the latter into the top of digesterA which in turn now holds the solvent first taken from the tank or reservoir B while at the same time digester A contains compressed air or gas and digester A the solvent taken from tank B As soon as digester A is full, valves and s are closed and the air or gas in tank B is allowed to escape through its valve 5*, &c., to the atmosphere, as before described. Valves k 00 (digest-er A,) of, (digester A and 0c (digester A are now closed and valves o (digester A at, (digester A o 11 (digester A,) Dr, and 00 (digester A are opened. The solvent which originally came from tank B is driven by the compressed air or gas let in at US from digester A into digester A through said valves '0 and to; the compressed air or gas which was contained in digester A is in turn driven into digester A through said valve 00 and the solvent in digester A which originally came from tank B is in turn driven into the last digester A through said opened valves 0 and 06. We now have compressed air or gas in digester A, the solvent from tank 13 in digester A compressed air or gas in digester A and the solvent which came from tank B in digester A The said last-opened valves e 00, '0 0 m, and 00 are now closed and the valves 70 m (digester A o (digester A x 00 (digester A 116, (digester A and o (communicating with tank 13) are opened after the valve 8', leading from tank B, has been closed and the corresponding inlet-valve s to said tank and outletvalve it from said tank have been opened. The compressed air or gas admitted to tank B through its valve 3 drives the solvent (which has been used twice before) into the main 1 through said open valve k" and through corresponding valve is into the top of digester A. The air or'gas previous] y contained in di ester A then asses into digester IIO A through the connecting-valve 00 and drives out the solvent which originally came from tank B into digester A through the corresponding said open valves 42 and as, and the compressed air or gas which was contained in digester A escapes into digester A through the adjacent valve 00 thereby driving out into the storage-tank B (for saturated solvent 5) through valve o, main 4, and corresponding inlet-valve o the solvent which originally came from tank B Digester A now contains solvent which has been used twice and was stored in tank B digester A contains compressed air or gas, digester A contains the solvent which has been used three times and was stored in tank B and digester A contains nothing but the wool and air or gas at or near atmospheric pressure, for the compressed air or gas which went from digester A into digester A followed the solvent into tank. B through valves 1: and o and escaped from said tank through valve 3, 850., into the atmosphere. Now, valves 5 and 7c, communicating with tank B having been closed and outlet-valve 8 opened as soon as digester A had been filled with solvent from said tank E the said open valves 70 m (digester A,) '0 (digester A a? 00 (digester A '0 (digester A and o (communicating with tank B are closed and valves o 01 (digester A,) at (digester A c (digester A or 1*(digester A are opened. The solvent from digester A, which originally came from tank B is driven by the compressed air or gas entering through valve 11 (digester A,) into the top of digester A through said open valves 12 and 00' last referred to. The compressed air or gas which this digester A contains is now driven into the top of digester A through valve 03 (digester A and the solvent which digester A contains, and which originally came from tank B is driven into digester A through the adjacent valves 12 and 0c, the atmospheric air or gas contained in digester A at the same time making its escape through valve 12 (digester A into the overflow or air or gas outlet main 8, communicating with tank F and trap-tank M. Digester A now contains compressed air or gas, digester A the solvent which came from tank B digester A compressed air or gas, and digester A the solvent which came from tank B The first valve o having been closed as soon as digester A was empty, the said open valves o (digester A,) 00 x (digester A 11 (digester A ac o (digester A are now again closed and valves 3, (leading to tank B,) 70 k 00 (digester A,) c

. (digester A 00 x (digester A o (digester A and 11 8, (leading to and from tank B are opened. When thus adjusted, the solvent contained in tank B, and which has been used once before, is now driven by the compressed air or gas let into the tank at 8 into main 1 through the corresponding valve and through the adjacent valve 7cinto the top of digester A. The compressed air or gas contained in the latter digester escapes into digester A through the first valve 00 and the solvent which is contained in this digester, and which originally came from tank B is driven into digester A through valves 0 (digester A and w, (digester A The air or gas contained in digester A is'thereby driven out and on top of the solvent contained in digester A through valve m (digester A and this solvent, which originally came from tank B is, after it has been thus used three times in previous operations, now returned to tank B (which is the receptacle for solvent having been used four times) through valve Q26 (digester A main 4:, and valve 12 leading to tank B The compressed air or gas following the solvent escapes through valve 5'. The previously open valves 11 v (digester A 01: w, (digester A 12 (digester A 00 (digester A,) 70, 7c, and .9 being closed, di-

gester A will be found to contain solvent.

from tank B. Digester A contains compressed air or gas, digester A the solvent which came from tank B and digester A contains air or gas at or near atmospheric pressure. Of course the charge of wool is still retained in all the digesters. Valves u e, (digester A 00 00 (digesterA o (digester A and to o (digester A are now opened and the solvent contained in digester A is driven by the compressed air or gas (let in through first valve 0 into digester A through said valves '0 and m. The compressed air or gas contained in digester A is driven into digester A through valve 13 The solvent in digester A and which originally came from tank 13 is driven into digester A through corresponding valves 21" and 0s, and the atmospheric air or gas which this latter digester contained is driven out through valve '0 communicating with the main 8. Upon closing valve '0 as soon as digester A was empty the said valves 12 (digester A,) w 00 (digester A 11 (digester A ,)':1; and n (digester A are now closed, and we find that digester A contains compressed air or gas, digester A solvent taken from tank B, digester A compressed air or gas, and digester A solvent taken from tank B The wool contained in digester A having now been thoroughly percolated with solvents which had been previously used four times, three times, twice, andonce, respectively, it is now ready to be rinsed off with clean or pure solvent, and in order to effect such operation the digester A is put into communication with tank B, which contains pure or unused solvent, and the following valves are opened: 70 s 70 00 (digesterA,) o (digester A or 00 (digester A 1;, (digester A and '0 s, the two latter communicating with tank B The pure solventis driven out of tank B by the compressed air or gas admitted through inletvalve 3. It enters the main 1 through corresponding valve 70 and digester A through adjacent valve 70. The compressed air or gas in digester A enters digester A throughfirst intermediate valve The solvent in digester A is driven out through valve o (digester A and enters digester A through valve 00, (digester A The compressed air or gas in digester A is driven out into digester A through valve .90 (digester A The solvent in digester A, which originally came from tank B is driven into storage-tank B (which is-the receptacle for solvent having been used three times) through valve '0 (digester A main 4, and valve 12 leading to said tank B The compressed air or gas following the solvent into the last-named tank escapes through its outlet-valves. Valves It and 8 having been closed as soon as the digester A was full, the before open valves 70, 03 c 00, 00 v c and s are closed. \Ve now have pure solvent in digester A from tank B, compressed air or gas in digesterA solvent from tank B in digester A and atmospheric air or gas in digester A The solvent is next moved as follows: The several valves c 12 (digester A,) M00 (digesterAi) n ,(digesterA and mo ,(digester A are now opened and the pure solvent is driven from digester A by compressed air or gas let in at 1; into the top of said digester. It passes thence into digester A through said open valves 01 and cc, and the compressed air or gas which this digester contains is driven into digester A through valve m while the solvent in digester A which originally came from tank B, escapes through valve 1 (digester A and enters the digester A through valve w, the air or gas contained in this latter digester escaping through valve o into the main 8. Valve '0 (digester A) having been closed as soon as digester A was freed from solvent, the valves '0 (digester A,) 00 m (digester A 12 (digester A or v (digester A) are now closed, and we have in digester A wool which has been washed with four lots of solvent and .rinsed with pure solvent, and is surrounded with compressed air or gas. Digester A contains wool immersed in pure solvent, digester A contains wool surrounded with compressed air or gas, and digester A contains wool immersed in solvent coming from tank B. Digester A is now put in communication with tank B (which is the receptacle for solvent having been usedionce) by opening valves 1;, (digester A',) c and outlet-valve s, communicating with the tank. The compressed air or gas containedin digester A rushes through the wool (carrying before it remainders of solvent adhering to the fibers) out through said valve 12 main 4, and valve '0 and escapes into the main 8 through valve 8, the solvent carried along by the air or gas remaining in tank B. The passage of compressed air or gas through the wool can be continued as long as necessary or desirable by simply opening the first valve '0 (digester A,) communicating with compressed air or gas main 9. The valves o (digester A 12 (digester A 00 m (digester A '0 (digesterAfl) and '0 and s (tank B are now opened and the compressed air or gas let into digester A through said valve 11 forces the pure solvent out of this digester into digester A through valves 0 and 00. The compressed air or gas contained in digester A enters digester A through valve 03 and the solvent contained in digester A, and which originally came from tank B, now finds its way to tank B (which is the receptacle for solvent having been used twice) through corresponding valve 41 main 4, and valve 11 The compressed air or gas which follows the solvent escapes through valve 3, leading from tank 13 into main 8. Valve 11 having been closed as. soon as digester A was empty, the said valves 1), (digester A 00 x (digester A 1;, (digester A4,) and Q1 and s are closed. Digester A is then put in'communication with tank B by opening valve v (digester A valves 0 and s, leading to tank B, being opened and the compressed air or gas contained in said digester forces itself through the wool (carrying with it solvent adhering to the fibers) and escapes through said valve o main 4, valves o ands into the main 8, while the solvent, which is carried along by the air or gas, deposits itself in tank B. The passing of compressed air or gas through the wool can be continued as long as desired by opening valve 0 (digester A WVe have now in digesters A and A wool which has been treated with four lots of solvent and rinsed with pure solvent. In digester A we have wool immersed in pure solvent and in digester A wool surrounded by air or gas at or near atmospheric pressure. Valves c (digester A 12*,(digester A 00, (digester A and v (digester A are now opened (valves 12 and s, leading to and from tank B, remaining open) and the compressed air orgas, entering digester A at u drives the pure solvent from digester A into digester A through valves 0 and m, the atmospheric air or gas contained in digester A escaping into the main 8 through valve 0 (digester A Valve 12 having been closed as soon as digester A was empty, said valves '0 0c, and o are also closed. Digester A is put in communication with the tank B by.

opening valve r (digester A and compressed air or gas is blown through the wool in the same manner as described in relation to digesters A A We now have in digesters A, A and A wool upon which the treatment with the solvents has been completed and in digester A wool immersed in pure solvent. Now, upon opening valve '0 (digester A") the digester A is put into communication with tank B through main 4 and corresponding valve 0 and the solvent is forced out of digester A into tank B by opening the compressed air or gas valve 12 at the top side of digester A and when this digester has been emptied of its solvent-compressed air or gas is blown through the wool in the same manner as described in relation to digesters A and A We now have in all the digesters wool which has been treated with four different lots of solvent and all rinsed with pure solvent. In tank 13 we have the solvent which came out of tank B, after having been used four times previously to the last time, and is now sufficiently charged with wool-fat to warrant redistilling. In tank B we have the solvent which was in tank B when it had been used three times, but is now in the tank containing solvent having been used four times. In tank B is the solvent which came from tank B when it had been used twice, but now it has been used three times. In tank B is the solvent, which came originally from tank B, after having been used once, but it now has been used twice. In tank B is what came from tank B as pure solvent, but which is now classed as having been used once. Thus it will be seen that each of the several solvents has been advanced once. The wool being now ready to be entirely freed from any solvent which. still adheres to the fibers, all the valves which were previously open, and through which valves the digesters were made to communicate with any of the mains or with each other, are now closed and the four valves 01 o o '2; over the digesters are opened, thus putting them in communication with the dry-vacuum main 6 and the dryvacuum pump D. The valve or, which allows the pump D to discharge into the pipe 13 is also opened and so is valve .09 which puts said pump in communication with the condenserL through the piping 13 and valve r, which latter is open. The outlet from the condenser is put in communication with tank B (which now may be either empty or only partially filled) by opening the valve 21 and the valve 12 communicating with said tank. The vacuum-pump D is put in motion, steam being at the same time-turned onto the bottom heaters a inside of the digesters. Under the influence of heat and vacuum thus produced the solvent remaining in the wool soon evaporates and is drawn from the bottom of the digesters upwardly through the wool into the dry-vacuum main 6, and pump D forces the vaporized solvent into the condenser through the said piping 13 and 13 and valve r. The condensed vapors pass from the condenser in the form of liquid solvent through valve o and enter tank 13 through said valve 0 communicating with the tank.

. This distillation of the solvent adhering to the wool is kept up until it is fully completed, which is indicated by the vacuum-gages'on the digesters. The pump D isthen stopped and the four valves t connecting the digesters with main 6, are closed and the four oppositely-located valves 1; are opened and the wet-vacuum pump D started, the four airvalves 00 being also opened at the same time. The air which is thus drawn through the wool removes from it any trace of odor of the solvent which may still be perceived in the fibers, and this process can, if desired, be accelerated by turning on a small jet of steam into the bottoms of the digesters. The wool having now been practically freed from its fatty and resinous impurities, and also being in a dry condition and free from solvent, is now ready to be removed from the digesters, for which purpose the upper and lower digester-doors b b have been provided, and to be rinsed in water. This latter operation is performed at a moderate temperature in machines such as are now generally used for the scouring of wools. I prefer, however, to use machines having three or four bowls, because, although what few impurities now remaining on the fibers are either soluble in water or are removed by the mechanical action of the chines, it requires less time and less heat to do the work properly with machines of this description. In using machines with three or four bowls the liquor contained in the first bowl soon becomes heavily charged with impurities and the potash salts contained in the wool. This liquor is then run into an evaporating apparatus and the liquor from the second bowl is run into the first bowl, theliquor of the third bowl is run into the secondbowl, and the liquor from the fourth bowl is run into the third, while clear water is put into the fourth, and this process is kept up indefinitely, so that all the potash salts, ammonia, and other products which can be utilized as fertilizers are recovered as by-products of the wool-washing, as well as the fatty and resinous matters carried off by the solvent, and of which I will make a further mention. The wool emerging from the machines, in which it has been thus rinsed with water, (without the admixture of soap or alkali,) is perfectly clean and softer and stronger than wool of the same class which has been scoured in alkaline or soap solutions. In some instances, however, it is found beneficial to use a light neutral soap solution in the third or fourth bowl, in order to feed or lubricate the wool. When this is practiced, the liquor from the first and second bowls only is evaporated.

In describing the treatment of the fibers with solvent it will have been seen that I have represented and set forth a process wherein solvent contained in a digester is replaced by compressed air or gas, this air or gas being replaced by other solvent, this solvent in turn by air or gas, and so on, the charge of solvent when entering one digester pushing the compressed air or gas into another digester, said compressed air or gas forcing the solvent out of this second digester into a third digester, from which it forces the compressed air or gas into a fourth digester, 850.; or, in other words, the filling of one digester influences the whole series of digesters after they have once been filled. It is evident that the treatment with solvents can be accomplished in a different manner, and that the solvent after being used in one digester can be returned to the storagetank from which it came, then forced therefrom into the second digester, then again returned to the storage-tank and forced through the third digester, &c., and this can be continued with the diiferent grades of solvent contained in the sundry tanks until they each have performed their work and absorbed sufficient fatty and resinous matter to warrant of their taking their new place in the series of storagetanks, as I have heretofore described.

The solvent, instead of being forced from the bottom of one digester into the top of another digester, can just as well, if desired, be forced into the bottom of any other digester by manipulating the several valves o and c since all the digesters are intercommunicating both at the top and bottom, and they also communicate with all the mains and storagetanks in the system, so that any digester can be reached from any tank or any tank from any digester.

I would state that the necessity of the primary drying of the fibers which I have described, the necessity of their treatment with solvent either in motto or at atmospheric or higher pressure, the number of different baths of charged solvent to which they are subjected, as well as the number of rinsings they get with pure solvent,depends wholly ,upon the condition and the nature of the.

fibers under treatment, and that the steps as described are only one way of operating the the animal fibers with acid vapors or an acid gas-such as aceticacid vapors, hydrochloricacid gas, &c.-either before the treatment with solvent or after a partial treatment of the fibers with a solvent. In such cases the gas may be generated in W W the same forming a part of the apparatus. The gas'is drawn through the Wool in the digesters by putting the latter in communication withthe wet-vacuum pump D and main 7 and opening the four valves "0' 'v v o and 7 r Wand x 00 :0 The gas or vapor enters the branch pipe 16 after leaving the generator W, and, passing through said open valves r and r enters the heater WV, Where it can be heated, if necessary. From the heater it passes into the main 16, and from thereinto the bottom of the digesters through the said open valves m The gas is drawn through the material in the digesters and escapes into the main 7 through imal fibers, and making it undesirable for further use in the treatment of such fibers, is forced from said tanks into the settling-tank I,

wherein any suspended matter contained in such solvent is allowed to settle before the solvent is let into the still H for rectification.

Upon letting compressed air or gas into tank B through corresponding inlet-valve s, the valves k, 4' and 10 are opened, thereby forcing the solvent into settling-tank I, and when the suspended matter it contains has settled to the bottom it (the freed solvent) is run into the still H by closing the valves previously opened and letting compressed air or gas in at the top of the settling-tank through the vave w. The solvent passes from said settling-tank through any one of the series of "alves r and enters the still through piping 18 and valve r When the sediment in the settling-tank has accumulated to any considerable depth, it is separated from the solvent by letting out the mixture from the tank through valve 4 and piping 21 into a filter K. The sediment is deposited upon the filtenbed and the solvent passed through the filtering material into the pipe 10, and from the latter into the tank B througlrvalved connection 10", provision be ing madefor removing the sediment from the filter when necessary.

The still H is provided interiorly with a steam-coil, and directly communicates with the condenser L through valve 1' piping 13, and valve 4. Indirectly it also communicates with said condenser through valve 1", piping 6 and 13, vacuum-pump D, piping 13 and 13 and valves x 00, and r. The rectification of the solvent is accomplished by distillation; but instead of applying a strong heat to it through the steam-coils contained in the stills and driving the vapors over from them through the direct communication indicated above, I prefer to use heat and vacuum combined and communicate from the stills to the condensers through a vacuum-pump, as indicated above, because the solvent passes over at a lower temperature and the wool-fat is therefore obtained in better condition.

From the condenser the liquid rectified solv ent enters tank B, as was described in the distillation of the solvent remaining on the fibers contained in the digesters. When all the solvent contained in the still H has been distilled, there will remain in this still the fatty and resinous matters which the solvent extracted from the fibers through which it percolated, which matter is com monly called pure wool-fat to distinguish it from the product ob tained from the treatment of wool-wash suds, which latter contains soap-fats and other constituents not contained in the fat extracted from the Wool with solvent. This product, (said fatty and resinous matter,) while still in a fiuid state, is run into the grease-storage tank E. The fluid fat leaves the still through valve r and piping 15, which leads it to said storage-tank. The grease-tank E is emptied while the fat is in a fluid condition (steamcoils being provided for the purpose in the bottom of the tank) by means of compressed air or gas introduced through valve 11 the fat escaping into convenient receptacles through valve n provided for the purpose at the bottom'of said tank.

I claim as my invention- 1. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to the action of solvents for such impurities, then removing said solvent from the digester, then expelling, in liquid form, the bulk of the solvent still adhering to the fibers by the action of a compressed gas forced through them, and then freeing the fibers from the remaining adhering solvent, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to the action of solvents for such impurities, then removing said solvent from the digester, then expelling, in liquid form, the bulk of the solvent still adhering to the fibers by the action of a compressed gas forced through them, and then freeing the fibers from the remaining adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

3. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers While retained in a closed digester to the action of solvents for such impurities, then removing said solvent from the digester, then expelling, in liquid form, the bulk of the solvent stilladhering to the fibers by the action of a compressed gas forced through them, then freeing the fibers from the remaining adhering solvent, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

4. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to the action of solvents for such impurities, then expelling the solvent in liquid form from the contents of the digester by the action of compressed gas, then freeing said fibers'from any adhering solvent by distillation under the in fiuence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

5. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinousimpurities, the same consisting in making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvents for such impurities in vacuo, then continuing the subsequent treatments with solvents at atmospheric or higher pressure, and then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in a closed digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

6. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consistingin making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvents for such impurities in vacuo, then continuing the subsequent treatments with solvents at atmospheric or higher pressure, and then freeing said treated fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth;

7. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvents for such impurities in UClCtLO, then continuing the subsequent treatments with solvents at atmospheric or higher pressure, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in a closed digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

8. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvents for such impurities in vacuo, then continuing the subsequent treatments with solvents at atmospheric or higher pressure, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum, and then deodorizing said fibers by'drawing air orsteam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

9. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is to remove the bulk of the solve'ntin liquid form, and then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent, substantially as described and for the purpose setforth.

10. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is to remove the bulk of the solvent in liquid form, and then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vaccum while contained in saiddigester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

11. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same oonsistingin subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is to remove the bulk of the solvent in liquid form, then freeing said fibres from any adhering solvent, and then deodorizing said fibers, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

12. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in subjecting said fibers while retained in a closed digester to alternate contacts, first withsolvents for such impurities each of 'a diiferent degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is to remove the bulk of the solvent in liquid form, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the infiuence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

13. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspirating air through them,then subjecting said fibers to-the action of solvents for such impurities, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose set forth.

14C. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspirating air through them, then subjecting said fibers to the action of solvents for such impurities, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester under the influence of heat and vacuum, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, sub stantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

15. The processof freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the

same consisting in drying said fibers whilecontained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities, and then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

16. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fattyand resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities, jand then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester under the influence ofheat and vacuum, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

17. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities, then freeing said fibers from any adherin g solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

18. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the in [inence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, and thendeodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam orboth through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

19. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspir'ating air through them, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is to remove the bulk of the solvent in liquid form, and then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

20. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspirating air through them, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, and then freeing. said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum while contained in'said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2L The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspirating air through them, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in saiddigester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

22. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by aspirating air through them, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, the function of which is toremove the bulk of the solvent in liquid form, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

23. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them, then submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, and afterward freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

24:. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them, then submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, and afterward freeing said fibers from any adhering'solvent by distillation under the infiuence of heat and vacuum and while contained-in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

25. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them, then submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

26. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them, then submitting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts, first with solvents for such impurities each of a different degree of saturation and then with compressed gas, then freeing said fibers from any adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

27. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities while contained in a closed digester, then replacing said solvcuts by compressed gas, and subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent and then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

28. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities while contained in a closed digester, then replacing said solvent by compressed gas and subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas andsolvents of different degrees of satu ration, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent and then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester under the combined action of heat and vacuum,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

29. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in treating said fibers with solvents for such impurities while contained in a closed digester, then replacing said solvent by compressed gas and subjecting saidfibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent and freeing them from any adhering s'olvent by distillation while contained in said digester, and then deodorzin-g them by drawing either air or steam or both through them,

substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

30. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in treating said fibers with solvents'for such impurities while contained in a closed digester, then replacing said solvent by compressed gas and subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent and then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvents while in cacao, then replacing said solvent with compressed gas, then sub- Jeoting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent, and then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

32. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and subjecting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvent While in vacuo, then replacing said solvent with compressed gas, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers with pure solvent, and then freeing them from adhering solvent by distillation under the influence of heat and vacuum while contained in said digester, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

33. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them, and subjecting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then making the first impregnation of said fibers with solvent while in vacuo, then replacing said solvent with compressed gas, then subjecting said fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibres with pure solvent, then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

34. The process of freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, the same consisting in drying said fibers while contained in a closed digester by drawing air through them and subjecting said fibers to the combined action of heat and vacuum, then making the firstimpregnation of said fibers with solvent while in vacuo, then replacing said solvent with compressed gas, then subjecting said. fibers to alternate contacts with compressed gas and solvents of different degrees of saturation, then rinsing said fibers With pure solvent, then freeing them from any adhering solvent by distillation while contained in said digester under the combined action ofheat and vacuum, and then deodorizing said fibers by drawing air or steam or both through them, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

35. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, the combination of a closed digester, two or more solvent tanks for holding solvents of different degrees of saturation communicating at their tops through valved piping with the bottom of said digester and at their bottoms with the top of said digester, substantially as described.

36. In apparatus for freeing animal fibres from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, the combination of a series of digesters arranged in battery and in inde pendent intercommunication at theirtops and bottoms, a series fot' storage tanks for bolding solvent of different degrees of saturation and pure solvent also independently intercommunicating, and valved piping connecting said digesters and tanks, arranged whereby any one or more of the said digesters and tanks are adapted for independent intercommunication at top and bottom, substantially as described.

37. In apparatus for freeing animal filbers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, the combination of a closed digester, two or more storage tanks for solvent arranged to communicate with the top and bottom of the digester, valved inlet and outlet passages for said solvents, and valved piping communicating with said digester and tanks and with a source of compressed gas, substantially as described.

38. Inapparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, the combination of a plurality of closed digesters arranged in battery and in independent intercommunication at their tops and bottoms, a series of storage tanks for solvents also independently intercommunicating with each other and with said digesters, and a source of compressed gas in communication with the digesters and tanks, substantially as described.

39. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensing devices for solvent vapors-connected therewith,a source of compressed gas, one'or more reservoirs for solvents and a trap-tank or water-seal, snbstantially'as described.

40. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensing devices for solvent vapors connected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap-tanker Water" seal and an overflow tank, substantially as described.

41. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensin g devices for solvent vapors connected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap tank or Waterseal, an overflow tank and a settling tank, substantially as described.

42. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensin g devices for solvent vapors connected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap tank or water seal, anoverflow tank and a still, substantially as described.

43. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensin g devices for solvent vapors connected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap tank or water seaseo seal, an overflow tank and a grease tank, substantially as described.

44. In apparatus for freeing animal fibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condensin g devices for solvent vaporsconnected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap tank or water seal, an overflow tank and a filter, substantially as described.

45. In apparatus for freeing animalfibers from their fatty and resinous impurities, by volatile solvent, one or more closed digesters, in combination with exhausting and condens ing devices for solvent vapors connected therewith, a source of compressed gas, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a trap tank or water seal, an overflow tank and a gas generator, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMILE MAERTENS.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. REMINGTON, IDA M. WARREN. 

